Perhaps the most revered historic artifact in the Senate is the gavel. This small, handleless piece of solid ivory was used by the Senates presiding officers from around the late 18th/early 19th century until a late night debate in 1954, when the gavel fell apart as Vice President Richard Nixon called the Senate to order. Having already been reinforced oncewith silver pieces attached to both endsthe gavel was immediately replaced with a near-replica provided by the government of India.

When the Senate is in session the replacement gavel is used to call the chamber to order.